Everyone knows how expensive medical bills can be, especially when the hospitalization involves something as serious as an open-heart surgery. When it is done abroad, the expenses tend to pile up and the amount needed is something that most Filipinos could not afford to pay.
Philippine Ambassador Adnan Alonto recently shared the amazing news that a prince in Saudi has sponsored the open-heart surgery of OFW – and even paid for other medical expenses related to his treatment, including the cost of airlifting the OFW to the hospital that had the equipment to handle his case!
Alonto and the OFW; Photo credit: Adnan Alonto / Expat Readers
According to Alonto, he was surprised when the office of Prince Turki Bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Governor of the Assir Region, called to inform him that a Filipino in Asir was in need of medical assistance and that the prince will shoulder all the costs of the OFW’s treatment.
Photo credit: World Economic Forum [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
“Walang facility ang hospital sa Asir na magsagawa ng open heart surgery. Ininform ako ng opisina niya na ipadala siya rito sa Riyadh si Ted,” Alonto told The Filipino Times.
“Talagang nabigla ako doon. Si Ted nga hindi ma explain kung ano ang ginawa niya para madeserve niya ito.”
Photo credit: Adnan Alonto / Expat Readers
Even the OFW was not sure why the prince was paying for the surgery but was certainly very grateful for the help.
Alonto further revealed that Ted had been working in Saudi for 31 years and his wife also works as nurse in the Kingdom. It is possible that a friend of the couple had connections with the Saudi prince, that’s why the latter offered to help – or it really was just a random act of kindness.
With Ted’s doctor,Syrian-American cardiologist Dr. Kuzbari; Photo credit: Adnan Alonto / Expat Readers
Whatever the reason, Ted and his family was grateful for the Saudi prince’s help.
